Said this might cause consternation (6)

I believe the answer is:

dismay

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'cause consternation' is the definition.
'dismay' can be an answer for 'consternation' (synonyms). I'm not certain of the 'cause' bit.

'said this might' is the wordplay.
'said' becomes 'dis' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'this might' becomes 'may' (I've seen this before).
'dis'+'may'='DISMAY'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dismay that I've seen before include "unnerve" , "Appal" , "Consternation, trepidation" , "Feeling of surprise and discouragement" , "Consternation, disheartenment" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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